M.A. Program

The four central elements of the program are:

  1.  Language study tailored to the students’ needs and interests;
  2. Coursework in which students work with original manuscripts, documents, or early printed books;
  3. An original research project to be presented as an MA thesis.
  4. Elective coursework in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, to be chosen from a list approved by the Director each semester.

Requirements

  1. Coursework totaling 30 points (credits), including the MA thesis.
  2. Language study. Two semesters of a language relevant to the study of the medieval and/or Renaissance period at the 4000 level or higher, appropriate for the student’s particular needs and interests; the two semesters should be taken consecutively.
  3. Manuscript/Print Culture. One one-semester course involving the study of original manuscripts, documents, or early printed books. Confirm eligible courses with the Program Director.
  4. No fewer than four elective courses at the 4000 level or higher, selected from a list established each year by the Director of the MA program, and approved by the student’s appointed advisor. One of these courses must fulfill the manuscript/book culture requirement (above, 3).
  5. Two semesters of MA Thesis (G6999). The course is pursued as an independent study with an advisor or advisors.
  6. Attendance of a manuscript/printed book workshop each semester, to be arranged.
  7. Courses may be taken for R-credit or Pass/Fail, but these courses do not count toward the degree.
  8. No advanced standing or transfer credit is granted for courses taken outside of Columbia University.
  9. All courses must be at the 4000 level and above.
  10. Students may complete the program through part-time study during the academic year, including the summer term; but they must fulfill all of the degree requirements in no more than 4 years and they must be continuously registered.

Thesis

For the full thesis guidelines, please click here.

Cost of Attendance

Information on the cost of attendance can be found here. Information on the Federal Work Study Program can be found here. Information on On Campus Employment can be found here.